The Matrix (1999) changed the film world forever. The combination of cyberpunk, philosophy, hard-hitting action, and revolutionary visual effects made it a cult classic.
But what if you’re still craving that same feeling after The Matrix? Here are 10 must-see films if you’re a fan of The Matrix.
1. Dark City (1998) – The forgotten cyberpunk classic
If you thought The Matrix was unique, you need to watch Dark City.
The film follows a man who has lost his memory and discovers that his world is being manipulated by mysterious beings who rewrite reality.
Visually, it’s a mix between Blade Runner and The Matrix, with the same noir style, philosophical themes, and claustrophobic atmosphere.
2. Ghost in the Shell (1995) – The anime that inspired The Matrix
The Wachowskis themselves admitted that this Japanese anime was a major inspiration for The Matrix.
In a futuristic world where humans and machines merge, the film follows a cyborg agent who hunts hackers while questioning her own identity.
Many iconic scenes from The Matrix—like the green computer code and the philosophical questions about reality—come directly from Ghost in the Shell.
3. Inception (2010) – The dream world as simulation
While The Matrix questions reality, Inception plays with the boundaries between dreams and the real world.
A team of dream infiltrators dives into people’s subconscious but gets entangled in deeper layers of illusion.
The mind-bending action scenes and philosophical questions make this a perfect film for Matrix fans.
4. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Cyberpunk at its finest
If you love the cyberpunk aesthetic of The Matrix, then Blade Runner 2049 is a must-see.
This sequel to the classic Blade Runner (1982) again explores the boundaries between humans and machines, raising profound questions about consciousness and identity.
Visually, it’s a masterpiece, with the same gritty atmosphere and futuristic worlds that make The Matrix so compelling.
5. Equilibrium (2002) – The Matrix with more gun-fu
Imagine a world where emotions are banned and people are suppressed by a totalitarian regime.
An elite agent discovers the truth and rebels—with spectacular fight scenes that could have come straight out of The Matrix.
The film blends philosophy, dystopia, and martial arts—perfect for anyone still craving bullet-time action.
6. Tron: Legacy (2010) – Digital reality becomes real
Where The Matrix revolves around a simulated world, Tron: Legacy literally takes you inside a digital reality.
The film follows a hacker who enters a virtual universe and must fight to survive.
With an epic Daft Punk soundtrack and stunning neon visuals, this is a must-watch for fans of the futuristic style of The Matrix.
7. The Thirteenth Floor (1999) – Another reality revealed
Released the same year as The Matrix, but criminally underrated.
A software developer discovers that his simulated world isn’t the only one—and that the reality he lives in may not be real either.
Just like The Matrix, the film poses the question: what if everything around us is an illusion?
8. eXistenZ (1999) – When video games take over reality
David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ is a dreamy, unsettling version of The Matrix with a touch of body horror.
In a world where video games are directly connected to the brain via biotechnology, players lose track of what’s real and what’s part of the game.
The film cleverly plays with identity confusion and virtual reality.
9. Upgrade (2018) – What if AI takes over your body?
A futuristic thriller where a paralyzed man receives an AI chip in his body, giving him super-powered combat abilities.
The action recalls the martial arts style of The Matrix, and the film once again asks: how much control do we really have over our bodies and minds?
A must-watch for fans of cyberpunk and high-octane action.
10. Animatrix (2003) – The hidden story behind The Matrix
If you’re a fan of The Matrix, you absolutely need to watch The Animatrix.
This collection of anime short films tells the history of The Matrix, including how the machines took over.
The shorts range from philosophically deep to spectacularly animated action and offer more context to the Matrix universe than the sequels ever did.
Whether you’re into cyberpunk, reality-bending stories, or epic action, these films all give you that same sense of awe and wonder as The Matrix.
